Hello all! Im new to this site as well as working on cars. I have my heart set on purchasing a Honda CRX Si and making a project car out of it. This obsession started when I was deployed overseas and started hanging out with a lot of the mechanics over there who were honda fanatics and got me interested. One of my good buddies who is an excellent mechanic both in the army as well as the civilian sector has agreed to help me as much as he can.

There is a 1990 CRX Si that im looking at in Dayton, KY that the owner is willing to let go for $1600. He says that he no longer has time to work on it and has already done a considerable amount of work to. The biggest problem is that he noticed the engine has a knock in it. Possibly a spun bearing he thinks. He hasnt had time to check it out. Im planning on doing a motor swap with it anyhow. Im just worried that if I were to buy it, would i be able to drive it 90 miles back to where I live and not have it crap out on me?!

I guess that my biggest question I have for everyone, is that do you think this is a fair price for this car given the condition of the motor (even if I plan on swapping it)?

There are not very many CRX's available in my state (ive been looking for months on the internet and autotrader magazines and they just seem to be really hard to find). Any advice you guys could give me about this car would be very much appreciated. Go ahead and call me a noob or whatever idc, I suppose everyone has to start somewhere. Any way here is the link to the car I found on craigslist:

http://lexington.craigslist.org/cto/3078739953.html

 

That looks pretty nasty to me. I wouldnt pay over $600 for it even if it runs. And NO WAY would I trust it to go anywhere, but I would probably still try to get it to drive there.

Welcome and thanks for your service.

 

In my area $1600 would be a reasonable price. I don't care much for the body kit and some of the mods but it's hard to find an unmolested CRX. Sometimes it comes down to what you're willing to pay to make your dream happen. Offer him $1200 and pay to have it towed. Swap a motor or rebuild that one. The only advice that I can give you on the swap is to make sure that whatever you're putting in it is healthy. It doesn't do you any good to drop a motor in that leaks or burns oil and will need to be pulled back out. Take the time to make sure that your ecu and harness is compatible with the motor you're planning to use.

 

Well, that one does look a bit rough. I've learned the hard way that the old saying "buy the best one you can" is very true. However, I did learn the HARD way, so that means I didn't pay any attention either....

You may be better off waiting for a better car, but how much do you have to spend? I live in central Florida and I have seen clean, stock CRX Si's go for as little as $2500. Not sure about your area though. Keep scanning all the craigslist sites in your state and adjacent one's. Something will show up! Good Luck!

 

Buy one from another state and have it shipped or just wait for another in your area to come by.

 

I'm from Kentucky as well, and it can be a nightmare trying to find one here. I managed to scoop up a 100% stock 88 si for 1400 and drove it every day for the past year and a half, so they can be found. Honestly craigslist isn't the best bet, try wv motorsports (where I found mine) ky horsepower, or just be willing to have one shipped or go get it.
Also thank you GREATLY for your service, If you have any questions at all, PM me, always glad to help out a serviceman.

 

What Mike_B said

 

Well fellas, I went up and checked the car out today and sure enough, it has a good little knock to the motor. The interior looks pretty good but could use a good vacuum and the driver's side seat has a tear (Never seen a CRX with stock seats that doesnt have atleast one). The owner said he would hook me up and help me get it down to lexington using his truck. All I would have to do is pay him gas money.

I got to thinking about the motor and now I have another question for you guys: Could I swap the D16z6 thats in it with a DOHC ZC and still keep the tranny since it's a D-series also? I know of where I can got a zc for 800 bucks, rebuilt.

 

Also, hardly any rust on this thing either, few dents and dings, but cosmetics is something Ill deal with later. And to answer your question Mike_B, Im willing to spend 5k on getting this car running well, possibly throw in a turbo and add 5 boost it down the road. Not looking to do anything too crazy lol.

 

Offer him 1000, or 1200 and just do a Lil serxhing and find a good swap. I would go b or h or K or J and. Just start at wheels and work your way up. Clean,paint or replace.

 

looks like a fun project, I wouldn't pay more than $1000 for a CRX with a dying motor
and Y49

 

What Red said. I know they're getting pricey, but you're looking at some decent repair costs, too.

Thanks for serving!

 

Hey everyone! I know its been a while since my last post on this thread but i have an update.

Ive removed the front bumper, battery and headers and hopefully this weekend we will be pulling the motor (D16z6). I hope to be able to get this crank pulled and find out what is causing this knock. The previous owner assured me that there is no damage to the block but you guys know how that goes....

Ive been searching for parts to take this body back to its original stock condition and i think i may of gotten lucky with some stuff.

I found a guy who was parting out some crx's in versailles, KY and i was able to get all the orginal door/ fender trim, an original bumper, interior passenger door panel (in perfect condition), original tail lights (all 3 of em!!) for about 100 bucks. I dont think this was too bad myself.

Here are some pics of what ive got done so far as well as a video of the knock, let me know what you guys think (i hope this link works):

http://s1243.photobucket.com/albums/...arkFiddle/CRX/

 

you know you can straight link the pics...

[IMG][/IMG]

 

oh no not a y49 ... go cut your arm off and set the car on fire then start on your project that should keep the curse at bay for a while

 

I've gotten the motor pulled and the oil pan removed as well as the crank case ( I guess thats what it is). Upon doing this I almost immediately located the spun main bearing. My question is what do I need to do next? I'm prepared to go and buy a new crank if I have to but is it possible to get high end bearings if I do get a new crank? I just want something solid so I have a better chance of avoiding this sort of problem in the future.

 

Lets hope the curse doesn't effect him haha. I haven't meet anyone with a y49 that it hasn't affected haha.

 

Great work so far!

 

Burn the Car before you Burn with it. Y-49 curse is coming.

http://www.oocities.org/teamwhy49/

 

looks like fun .. havin been outta hondas for years and wanting to get back in ill give you one piece of advice.. if u love the crx dont sell it ever .. i WISH i had my old EF .. now i have to start over fml

 

o/p find a reputable shop in your area and take the block to them. don't guess at this, it's your motor, the heart of your car. you got a good deal on those parts, car looks decent too

 

Is it really that hard to find them in KY. I am moving there next month. Here is Santa Fe, there are plenty, even first gens.

 

Just so everybody knows, it IS getting painted. I dont care much for the rotten egg color myself but I also dont care about some superstitious myth. Dont think i want to ride with a red bumper yellow body and black ricer hood with scoops lol

 

sweeeeeeeeeet. are you going to gut the car and do a full color change or just respray the out side?

 

idk man, there are quite a few dents and nicks on the body as well as little rust spot on the rear fender. Im definetly going to to get the door jams painted along with the body and maybe even the engine bay